Holiday parties offer opportunities, pitfalls

LAS CRUCES — All the blood, sweat and tears — figurative and literal — that you've poured into the company through the past year hopefully will be rewarded in some way or fashion, right?

Well, that doesn't always happen, but if you're lucky enough to work for a company or belong to an organization that throws an office holiday party, remember, that season is now upon us.

So RSVP, put on your clean shirt and show up with joy in your heart.

OK, it's a little more complicated than that. Holiday parties range from fancy, sit-down affairs to a potluck in the break room and everything in between, and the atmosphere and expectations are unique to each place of business. Still, there is a certain decorum that is universal.

Experts say that you should have fun, relax and thank your boss. Be appreciative because many others are not having such a gathering. More than half of companies are not planning to hold holiday parties this year, staffing firm OfficeTeam reports.

There is opportunity in the company gathering.

"Especially for more junior people, the office holiday party is a rare opportunity to be in a room with immediate supervisors and the big boss," Christine Jahnke, author and speech coach, told Forbes.com. "You can leverage it, or you can really blow it."

So you should not get drunk and party too hard.

"The goal is not to over drink, not to over eat; remember it's not going to be your last drink, it's not going to be the last meal you have," said Thelma Domenici, a business and personal etiquette consultant.

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Domenici said that, if invited, employees should make the effort to attend and, while there, they should not just skulk in the corner.

"Be happy, be part of the organization and try and mix with people," she said.

There are a lot of positive aspects to such a company-sponsored gathering: to have fun; to talk with co-workers in a more relaxed atmosphere; to make connections; to show the boss appreciation.

Not everyone is pleased with the idea of a office party.

"I'd rather they give me the money than spend it on the party and the cheap gifts," Bonita Spillar said. "I already spend five days, eight hours a day with them, I don't need to spend my evening with them."

Still, whether you'd rather have a holiday bonus instead of a gathering, if your employers are going to the money and expense to have one anyway, it's a good idea to try and make an appearance.

Also, avoid the bad impression.

"Remember that, although office parties are intended as social events to reward employees and raise morale, they remain strictly business events," Randall Hansen, Founder of Quintessential Careers, reports on the website quintcareers.com. "Do act as though your behavior is being observed every minute (because it probably is)."

Brook Stockberger may be reached at 575-541-5457; follow him on Twitter @Bstockberger

Office party etiquette

• Upon arrival, don't head straight to the bar or food table. Circulate the room before you make your plate or get a drink.

• If you have clients that are attending the party, remember they are your responsibility. You should stay close by, make sure they have plenty to eat and drink, and introduce them to the most important people.

• Make sure you chat with your co-workers and tell them how great it was to work with them all year.

• Eat and drink in moderation. It is better to go back for seconds than to put the entire buffet table on your plate.

• Keep the alcohol to the barest minimum. This is the worst place ever to get drunk.